Wedding Gift Etiquette: Tips for Selecting the Right Present

It’s always fun to receive an invitation to the wedding of a loved one and see two people who love each other so much join together in matrimony and plan to spend the rest of their lives with one another. However, while it’s great to be invited, there is always the additional stress of figuring out what to buy them for a gift. Obviously, this will depend heavily on your relationship with them, how long you’ve known them, and whether or not they have a wedding registry of selected things that they have requested, but in general, you really want to make sure that you buy them something they need, want and will be overjoyed at receiving. This is a lot of pressure for most folks as there is always the worry that whatever you purchase will fall short of exceptions or, heaven forbid, be something that actually causes issues in your relationship. In this post, we’re offering all of you who are unsure where to begin a helping hand to ensure that when you don’t just end up with a gift that is merely acceptable but one that falls within the realms of good etiquette and that they will actually appreciate receiving.

When In Doubt, Choose Something That Has A General Appeal

If you’re really struggling to figure out what to buy the happy couple, then it’s probably best to look more generally rather than attempt to get something super niche. However, this brings up an additional conundrum: what does a general gift mean in reality? Well, it can mean different things to different people (which we know sounds peculiar given the general moniker), but in practice, it’s simply finding a webbing-based gift that can be used for most wedding occasions regardless of what the couple’s interests are. For most people, this will probably manifest as a gift basket full of wonderful things that the bride and groom can use once the dust settles on the big day. As you can see with the gift basket offerings from Baskets Galore, the great thing about this option is that you can select wedding-themed baskets that contain all sorts of items, from champagne to delicious foods. This means that as long as you choose a gift basket somewhat related to weddings in general, you can find almost anything suitable for most occasions. 

Consider The Couple’s Interests And Hobbies

If you really want to go above and beyond and are at least relatively close to the happy couple, then a gift connected to their shared interests could be a winner. Before we go into too much detail here, though, it’s worth noting that if you go about this option the wrong way, you run the risk of alienating one of the others by leaving them out. This is why it’s so critical to have some understanding of the things they enjoy and try to aim for something that appeals to both of them rather than just the bride or the groom. Nevertheless, if you get it right, you will ensure they will both be happy and cement yourself as the kind of person who is a fantastic gift-giver! The best way to do this is to look at what they have done together in the past and try to buy accordingly. It might be that they’re both avid hikers and something related to that hobby is the way to go. Conversely, they may both be massive foodies and buying them something like cookware will fill both a functional and personal role.

Check The Wedding Registry For Ideas

This is the obvious choice if they happen to have a registry. In many ways, this makes the task much more manageable as much of the weight of choosing a gift is lifted from your shoulders as they have literally told you what they want from their guests. Nevertheless, there are some rules regarding etiquette, even when presented with a list of possible gift items, that you might do well to following, including:

• Not stepping out of your selected lane by believing that you know better what they want. They have curated this list for a reason, and not adhering to it will only cause problems, even if you think you’re not following it for benevolent reasons.
• Buy within your budget (but we will come to this point later).
• If you want to make sure you purchase their most desired items, you usually need to act fast.
• It’s generally best to have the gift shipped directly to the couple’s home for added convenience.
• Include the receipt so that they can exchange or return it if they change their minds. Is this a tad impersonal? Yes. Is it what most people want? Also yes!
• If there’s a higher-priced item you’d like to contribute to, going in on it with other guests is usually perfectly acceptable.

Personalize Your Gift For Extra Thoughtfulness

Personalization is always something that’s appreciated, particularly when they are showered in a range of gifts that are bought only for the reason that it’s what’s expected. In terms of a wedding gift, this can take the form of something that is handcrafted or something that might be personal to the couple themselves. Or, if you’re on a bit of a budget or don’t know the couple so well (and, of course, also when you do), you can also personalize your gift by way of a handwritten card of congratulations.

Think About Their Future Needs And Purchase Accordingly

If you’re more of a practical type of person and want to buy them something they will actually use throughout their lives, then it might be a good idea to consider their long-term needs. This will vary based on a number of factors, but with a bit of thought, you will be able to come up with something they will genuinely appreciate and be able to use even once the euphoria of the big day wears off and real life beckons. As with all of the points made in this post, you will have to put in some thought so that you adhere to the best practices of gift-giving in general, but you will likely find that while a practical gift might initially be slightly underwhelming when compared with the usual flurry of endorphin-releasing presents, it will become more and more valued over time as they start to use it. And, every time they do use whatever you have happened to have purchased for them, they will remember you and be grateful for the thought you put into the process.

Choose A Gift Within Your Budget

This is a bit of a sticky subject when it comes to wedding gifts because, on the one hand, the gift you provide is somewhat of an indication of how much you love the happy couple, while on the other hand, times are tight and most people can’t afford incredibly expensive things that are going to be added to the pile of other gifts that others have bought. Fortunately, with a bit of due diligence and following most of the other tips in this post, you should be able to find something within your budget, and that also speaks volumes about your love for the newlyweds and your desire for them to live a happy life.

Send Gifts Promptly As Tardiness Can Be Perceived As Uncaringness

The day after the big day is already too late, and anything beyond that could be construed as a slight to those who have invited you to participate in the most important day of their lives. Consequently, you must ensure you select and send them your gift before the wedding. This is where online gift services tend to come into their own by offering delivery services based on the dates you specify. This means you can choose, purchase, and send your gift and then forget about it, safe in the knowledge that it will arrive on time and be packed nicely. 

Presentation Counts: Wrap The Gift Beautifully

Speaking of packing, if you want to deliver your gift in person, you should remember that a presentation can make the difference between looking like you’ve made an effort and appearing as though you forgot and quickly ran out and bought the gift that morning. Even if your gift happens to be a great choice, you will inevitably lose bonus points by not making an effort to package and present in a manner most relevant to this sort of event. There is a risk that you can also overdo this, so your best bet is to look at it from a timeless elegance point of view, which might include simple wrapping paper and cards.

Include A Heartfelt Card With A Message

Regardless of what present you end up purchasing, you can add an incredible amount of goodwill by including a heartfelt and possibly handwritten letter of congratulations to the mix. There is something utterly unique about revving a handwritten letter that, in today’s fully digital world, indicates that you have spent time and effort in invoking your emotions to congratulate the happy couple. While this isn’t strictly etiquette-based, it will go down very well, and as long as your message is genuine and from the heart, it may end up being more valued than the gift itself.

Buying wedding gifts can be a highly stressful event, especially for people who don’t usually do so. Using the tips mentioned in this post, you should end up in a far better position to invest in an item that matches the importance of the event, and that will be enjoyed by the recipients.